The Lion King Adds Four New Broadway Cubs

Disney’s long-running hit The Lion King is welcoming four new cast members in the roles of Young Simba and Young Nala. Marquis Kofi Rodriguez and Shereen Pimentel made their Broadway debuts on September 29, Shannon Skye Taravez will begin her run as Young Nala on September 30 and Alphonso Romero Jones II will debut as Young Simba on October 1. The Lion King continues its run at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.

Jones, a 10-year-old native of Trenton, NJ, made his New York stage debut in A Christmas Carol. Eleven-year-old Rodriguez played Young Simba on the national tour of The Lion King. Pimentel, age 10, has attended the Ailey School since four and appeared in two Kidz Theater productions. Tavarez, 10, an honor student at PS 176 in Queens, studies at the American Dance and Drama Studio in Flushing.

The cast of The Lion King currently includes Derek Smith as Scar, Nathaniel Stampley as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, Danny Rutigliano as Rimon, Dashaun Young as Simba and Ta’rea Campbell as Nala.